Tattoo Removal Methods

There are several different methods for tattoo removal nowadays. In the late 1980's laser treatments have become the most popular and it is still the best method to remove tattoos without any scars. Before laser treatment was used, one or more of the below explained removal methods had to be used for removal which were often painful and scar including surgeries.
Dermabrasion

This is a method where the skin is being "sanded" with a wire brush or diamond fraise, a type of sanding disc, to remove the surface layer (Epidermis) and also parts of the Dermis, the layer where the tattoo is imbedded. This process may leave scars.
Salabrasion

A salt solution is used to remove the pigment. It is sometimes used in conjunction with dermabrasion, but has become less common.
Cryosurgery

In this method the area the tattoo was placed is frozen prior to it's removal.
Excision

This was the most common method prior to laser surgery. A dermatologist removes the tattoo with a scalpel and closes the wound again with stitches. If larger tattoos had been involved, a skin graft had to be taken from another part of the body to cover up the removed area.
Scarification

Involves removing the tattoo with an acid solution and creating a scar in its place.
Camouflaging

Injections with new pigments either to form a new pattern or cover a tattoo with skin-toned pigments are used to cover the tattoo. Please note that injected pigments tend not to look natural because they lack the skin's natural translucence.

This methods above are still used today in certain cases but laser surgery has become the standard treatment for tattoo removal. Laser treatments offer a bloodless, low risk, effective alternative with minimal side effects.

Origins of Tattoos

Believe it or not but most scientist believe the origins of tattoos date back to about 3300 B.C. They believe that certain marks found on the skin of the "?TZI", a mummified body of an iceman found in the italian alps, were considered tattoos back in his days. If their acceptance is true, these marks on his body represent the earliest known evidence for tattoos in history. All we know for sure up until now is, there are tattoos found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies dating from about 2000 B.C. Classical authors also mention the use of tattoos in ancient societies like the old Greeks, Germans, Britons, Romans and Gauls.

The tattoos we know nowadays were discovered by Europeans while exploring north america and the south seas of the pacific ocean. Their first contact with cultures like the American Indians and Polynesians also were the first contact of so called "civilized" people with tattoos. The word tattoo was first mentioned in James Cook's records from his 1769 journey to the south seas. The natives of Tahiti, this is were Cook's expedition went to, called the marks on their bodies TATTAU which was translated into TATTOO by Cook. Due to their exotic appearance, tattooed Indians and Polynesians where showcased at circuses and fairs during the 18th and 19th century all over Europe and the US.

Risks Of Tattooing

This is a list of the primary complications that could result from tattooing:
Infection

Infectious diseases such as hepatitis could be transmitted when using unsterile tattooing equipment and needles. It is extremely important that all the tattooing equipment is sterilized properly. Proper sterilization will always be the case when choosing a professional tattoo parlor. In addition it also very important that the person who receives the tattoo must take proper care of the tattooed area for the first two weeks to avoid any complications.
Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to tattoo ink and tattoo pigments are really rare. If they happen though, it could be particularly troublesome because the pigments can hardly be removed. Even if the person who developed an allergic reaction to the pigments undergoes laser surgery, he or she could have them for months. The reason why this takes so long is the immune system, which "flushes" the rest of the pigments out of the body after the laser surgery, takes several months to finish this process.
Removal Problems

Regardless of the advances in modern laser technology, tattoo removal is still a painstaking process. It usually take several treatments and involves considerable expenses. Still, complete removal is possible without leaving any scars due to the always enhancing laser techniques.
Keloid Formation

In case you don't know, keloids are scars that grow beyond normal boundaries. If you are prone to developing keloids you are at risk of developing keloids when getting a tattoo. Keloids can form anytime you injure or traumatize your skin. According to the Office of Cosmetics and Colors (OCAC), tattooing or micropigmentation is a form of trauma, but in recent studies dermatologists state that keloids occur more frequently as a consequence of tattoo removal.
Granulomas

Granulomas are nodules that form around material that the body perceives as foreign, such as particles of tattoo pigment

Why Do Colors Fade?

One of the biggest problems with permanent pigments is that the best ones are unsafe for use on humans. This leaves the the industry with just a few save alternatives. For the most part, very light fast and permanent colors are used. But this is not always the case. When it comes to yellow, purple, orange or magenta, the fade resistance is still not very high. The most common reason for fading colors is Ultraviolet Light, especially the light from the sun.

This does not mean once you get a tattoo you have to stay out of the sun forever. It's just that excessive amounts of sun will fade tattoos. It fades about the same rate your skin degrades when exposing it to the sunlight too much.

Another factor is the application of the tattoo itself. I have noticed the more experienced an artist is the better he can apply the pigment correctly and the less it fades.

People often say their tattoo looks much older than it really is. All I can say to it is they probably exposed themselves too much to the sun, didn't take care of it properly during the healing process or the artist simply did not apply the pigment correctly.

Your skin ages and with it the tattoo. That's a fact and there is no way around it. If you want the tattoo to look good as long as possible take care of your skin and you will take care of your tattoo at the same time.

The Meaning Of Japanese Tattoos

Hannya Masks Against the wide-spread opinion Hannya Masks do not have anything to do with the devil or Satan. There is a concept of a hell in the Japanese Buddhism, but Hannyas are terrestrial monsters. Confused human feelings like passion, jealousy or hate can transform women into these dreadful monsters. In the classic Nô-Theatre of Japan, where the as drafts often used Hannya masks descended from, stories of such female demons are told, who can only be released of their inhuman shape over the way to Buddha.

Kiyo Hime

The best known story of a Hannya demon is the one from Kiyo Hime. Her father owned a harborage in which a monk stopped each year. Over the years Kiyo Hime developed a deep love to the monk but her feelings could not be returned by him. One night Kiyo Hime confessed her love to him and it came to a controversy between the two of them and in which process Kiyo Hime enraged and the monk had to escape. He found shelter in a close monastery and hid himself under an enormous bell. In the meantime, in the intoxication of its hate love, Kiyo Hime had transformed into a demon with the body of a snake and a Hannya head. It sought out the monks hiding place and melted the bell with its fire breath, thereby causing the object of its longing a painful death.

Kannon

Kannon is a Bodhisattva of the Mahayana Buddhism. The task of the Bodhisattva is it to support humans on their way to illumination. There are Bodhisattva with several different tasks. Kannon is the Bodhisattva of sympathy and pity. In Japan Kannon is represented by a woman, usually riding a dragon. while in India, the country of origin of Buddhism, Kannon is represented by a male.

Fudô Myôô

In the buddhist hierarchy the Môôs stand under the Bodhisattva. They are also protectors of the Buddhism but in the contrary to the gentle Bodhisattva rather martial due to their armament. The most popular Myôô as a tattoo motive is Fudô Myôô, the imperturbable one. He is also considered the guard of hell and a knowledge king and is always displayed with a rope, with which he binds evil, and a sword, with which he fights Buddhism enemies.

Dragons

The best known japanese motive is the dragon, for sure. In Japan it is regarded as a luck bringing animal. This may be justified due to the fact that the japanese dragon is a water symbol. He lives either in the clouds, from where he climbs down during thunderstorms, or also in rivers and lakes. It stands for an element which was of an enormous importance for the rice cultivation rice in Japan. Therefore dragons are highly respected and admired in Japan and weren't fought like in european tales for instance.

Kois

In Japan, a koi jumping or swimming up a waterfall is a symbol of strength, the ability to assert oneself and success. As a phallic symbol it stands for male strength and power.

Tamatori Hime

The legend tells that Tamatori Hime once stole the king of the underwater world who was an enormous dragon his most valuable possession, a precious bead. In order to swim faster on her escape, Tamatori Hime cut herself and hid the bead in her own body. Although she found her way ashore, she died on her injuries becoming a victim of her own greed.

Tigers

Although there were never any tigers living in Japan, this majestic looking motive found its way into the forming arts of Japan really early. Drafts for Japanese pictures of these sovereign and at the same time strength defying animals were probably tigers who were introduced from India. The same as carps and dragons the tiger as a tattoo motive primarily is a symbol of strength and power

The Meaning Of Celtic Tattoos

The Celts, inhabitants of Northern Britain which is called Caledonia, glorified the power of live and it's creators in which the male and the female principles were both equal and in harmony. For the Celts, live itself was the driving power in the universe. The power that reveals the highest wisdom and everything divine in it's varieties. Death just played a subordinated role. It was just a short interruption in the forever ongoing and always changing cycle of life.

Therefore typical celtic tattoos are devoured ornaments, complicated and twisted knots and spiral motives mostly done in black. Those symbols demanded a very high understanding of mathematics and geometry and were used by the irish monks in the early middle ages, from the 4th until about the 10th century after christ, for drawings in books and they were also found on monuments. Monuments made out of stone like the so called celtic crosses.

Faithful to the celtic believe the celtic cross symbolizes the unity of the opposite spheres. Up and down for heaven and earth and left and right for male and female. And the circle, the perfectly closed form and the divine symbol for the forever ongoing cycle, underlining this union.

The Meaning Of Dragon Tattoos

Especially the long and flexible dragon, who descends from japanese tattoo traditions, is one of the most popular tattoo motives. Due to his shape he practically fits on every part of the body. Covering full backs, winding himself around arms or coiling up on the chest of the carrier.

In the western culture the dragon, according to the snake, symbolizes evil and has to be fought therefore. Different the japanese dragon which is called Oni and stands as a symbol of luck. The japanese dragon has its roots in the chinese mythology. He was said to live in the skies and had the ability to bring out the rain which was of big importance for the rice cultivation.

The dragon reached japan as a live spending water symbol due to the close cultural connection between china and japan where he is highly honored and admired. It is important to keep him happy because after all he could easily cause a seaquake if begrudgingly. One of the most famous and most tattooed dragon legends, aside the display of the buddhistic gods of wind and thunder (Fu-jin and Rai-jin) who are riding the dragons, is the Tamatori Hime.